Events create a diversion for kids

You know how it goes. The kids are all fired up for Christmas Day, and then they are amused by their holiday gifts. Briefly.

By Monday, your younguns might be casting about for other forms of entertainment. And you might be dreaming of ways to get them out of the house.

Good news for you: Venues all around the area are going heavy on the kid-centric activities during school-vacation week.

Elvis has not left the building in Groton; Groton Public Library is doing a whole Elvis-focused week, including a session on The King's place in rock 'n' roll evolution.

The Public Library of New London goes with "World Craft of the Day," running each day of the week starting Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pumpernickle Puppets stages "Peter Rabbit and the Tale of Sir George and the Dragon" Tuesday at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme.

For more potential youthful fun, see the adjacent schedule.

Children's activities starting Monday include the following:

MONDAY

Nature Photography - 9:30-11:30 a.m., Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Road, Mystic; bring your digital camera; ages 7 and up; $18, $15 members; registration required; (860) 536-1216.

World Craft of the Day - 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington St., New London; week long program with each day offering a different craft; free; (860) 447-1411.

Cartoon Mania - 1 p.m., Groton Public Library, Route 117, Groton; two hours of short cartoons on a big screen; suitable for all ages; free; (860) 441-6750..

Coloring Mixing - 2:30-3:30 p.m., Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut, 409 Main St., Niantic; make colors using eyedroppers; free with museum admission; (860) 691-1111.

Rock 'N' Roll Evolution with Brian Gillie - 6:30 p.m., Groton Public Library, Route 117, Groton; multimedia program in celebration of Elvis Presley; all ages; free; (860) 441-6750.

TUESDAY

Snowflake Scientists - 9:30-11:30 a.m., Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Road, Mystic; look up close at snowflakes; $18, $15 members; registration required; (860) 536-1216.

Whatever Drop In Crafts - 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Groton Public Library, Route 117, Groton; materials supplied; free; (860) 441-6750.

World Craft of the Day - 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington St., New London; free; (860) 447-1411.

Storytime - 10:30-11 a.m., Cragin Memorial Library, 8 Linwood Ave., Colchester; ages 2 and 3; free; registration required; (860) 537-5752.

Celebration Storytime - 10:15-11 a.m., Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich; registration required; (860) 889-2365.

Betwixt the Holidays - 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Florence Griswold Museum, 96 Lyme St., Old Lyme; Pumpernickle Puppets present "Peter Rabbit and the Tale of Sir George and the Dragon"; geared for ages 4-9; $5, $4 members, plus museum admission; (860) 691-1111.

Cartoon Mania - 1 p.m., Groton Public Library, Route 117, Groton; two hours of short cartoons on a big screen; suitable for all ages; free; (860) 441-6750.

Drop In Knitting Circle - 3-5 p.m., Groton Public Library, Route 117, Groton; grades 5 and up should bring size 8-12 needles and plain yarn; free; (860) 441-6750.

WEDNESDAY

Squirrel Survivor - 9:30-11:30 a.m., Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Road, Mystic; $18, $15 members; registration required; (860) 536-1216.

Water Color Painting - 2:3-3:30 p.m., Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut, 409 Main St., Niantic; free with museum admission; (860) 691-1111.

Hunk-a-Hunk Elvis Party - 2-4 p.m., Groton Public Library, Route 117, Groton; a scavenger hunt, crafts, musical guitars (like musical chairs), painting on velvet, and Elvis music with the teen band Five Aces at 3:30 p.m.; free; for reservations: (860) 441-6750.